Perforating apparatus



5 Sheets-Sheet l April 11, 1944. A. w. MILLS ET AL PERFORATING APPARATUSFiled July 2 M%ENTSDRS BY pril 11, 1944.-

A. W. MILLS ETAL PERFORATING APPARATUS 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July2 TTORNEY .Nga

April 11, 1944. A. w. MlLLsgE-r AL.

I PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYApril 11, 1944 A. w. MILLS ETAL.

PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1942 5 sheds-sheet 4 Nav TOR W:

ATTORNEY April 11, 1944. A, w. MILLS ETAL.

PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1942 5 Sheets--Sheet 5 F'IGJ.

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'l y EN'TO 5 A TTORNEY Patented Apr. il. im@

aangename etrangeres national timeliness lil.. assignore to linter-Yer-ls, lil. Y.. a corporation el NewYork Application .lilly 2, Het,Serial N". rl'alfl 1li Claims. im. lnll) This invention relates toperforating means and is an improvement of copending application f A.C..H0lt. Sel'ill N0. 438,973, filed April 15.

In the said application a plurality of punch elements are provided,which are pivotally connected to one of the ends of related punchlevers.

Cyclically operable eccentric means are disposed within the yokeportions of the punch levers and are operated in a. start-stop mannerfor actuating or oscillating the punch levers. Individual latching meansdisposed in close proximity to the free ends of the punch levers areoperated selectively to latch one or more of the oscillated punchylevers, thereby causing the connected punch ele- `ments to be eiective.

In the present application. the cyclically operated eccentric means aredisposed within oval shaped openings provided in each punch lever.

In addition thereto, the individual 'latch levers are provided withlatching arms cooperating with electromechanically controlledlatch-members for normally retaining the latch levers out of the pathsofthe oscillated punch levers. Upon selective operation oi' the latchmembers,l the related latch levers are released to latch the punchlevers, whereupon common control means associated with the said latchlevers are operated by one or more of the latter, which are released forinitiating operation of the normally stationary eccentric means.

An lobject of the present invention resides-in the provision of vanimproved perforating apparatus having common control` means operated byany one of the released punch'lever latching means for e'ectingoperation of the eccentric means.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of animproved perfcratng paratus having electromechanically controlled latchmeans for normally latchirig the individnal spring operated latch leversont ci the paths of the related punch levers. Bue to this provision,

a more rapid operation ofthe said latch levers f is possible. Y

Still another ohject oi the present inversion resides in the provisionor" cyclically one .isle restoring means for the eleetromechanicailycon.- trolied latch rosales, whereby tire armatures are acted upondirectly as well. as the latches.

@ther objects of the invention will be out in the illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, which disclose, by way oi esempl-e. the principleci the following description and claims and' stop invention` and thebest mode. which has been contemplated, of applying that principle. i

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view ing apparatus.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view ofthe perforating apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a. detail oi' the cam control the latch lever locking means. Y

Fig. 5 is 'a sectional view taken along the lines 5--5 of Fig. 1 showingthe start-stop clutch control means.

Fig. 6 is asectional view taken along the lines ofthe improvedperforatmeans for 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing the arrangementof `the controlmagnets and latching means.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines l-l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail of a code-hole punch element.

Fiss. 9 and 9A are details of the latch levers.

Fig. l0 is a timingchart.

Fig'. l1 is a simplied-circuit diagram.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of afkey operatedl mechanism for controllingthe selector magnet contacts of the perforating apparatus.

Fig. 131s a side elevation of a tape sensing mechanism for controllingthe selector magnet contacts of the'perforating apparatus.

Referring now to Figs. l'and 2, the perforating apparatus is shown toinclude individual punch elements 2 I 0, one for each unit ofthe code,and a common die block 2H. The punch elements are slidably arranged inindividual openings in a common punch guide block 212, and

are normally held in retracted positions by means of individual springs2i 3. 'l'hesaid springs are supporter. icy a bracket lli! which issuitably se- 'li-e upright plate -Tne seid punch man u vided W guides orrods et?! and al@ are provided to Suitabiy disposed l alignment ci' the.said punch- In order to lpacethe punch levers properly, suitable nloosefitting' spacing washers 224 and 22| are provided on rod 222 andeccentric 2| il, respectively, and disposed between each punch lever2|1, as shown in Fiss. 1 and 2. In addition thereto, the free ends o!lthe individual punch levers extend into correspondingly spaced,individual slots formed in a guide comb 226 suitably securedto plate2|5. Normally, during the rotation of the eccentric, theV punch leversare moved downwardly and upwardly (as viewed in Fig. 2) about thepivoted connections formed by the ends of the punch levers engaging therecesses of the relatedi punch elements. Under these conditions, it isseen that the free ends of the punch levers arelpartially rotated rst inone direction and then in the reverse direction, or, stated in otherwords, the said free ends of the punch levers are oscillated.

Individual, suitably spaced latch members or levers 221 are provided,one for each punch lever, said latch levers being pivotally supported bya stud shaft 228 and having the depending arms 221a and upright arms221e loosely fitted into individual slots in guide combs 226 and 229,respectively, the latter also being suitably secured to plate 2|5. Nearthe extremity of each arm 221a, a latching shoulder 236 is provided,which shoulders are disposed in close proximity to, but normally heldout of the paths of, the rotatable ends of the punch levers, by means ofthe individual and related latching armatures 23| of magnets 232. Eachamature 23| is provided with a shouldered recess 233 and, when released,engages the tip of arm 221d of the related latch lever 221 to latch thelatter and hold the arm 221a out of the path of the free end of therelated punch lever. A

Upon'momentary energization of magnet 232, the related armature 23| isattracted to trip or release the engaged arm 221d, and permit therelated latehlever 221 to swing in a clockwise direction, underinfluence of spring 234, thereby positioning the shoulder 230 of arm221a in the path ofthe free endof the related punch lever 2|1.

It should be mentioned at this time that, in the present embodiment, theshaft 220 carrying the eccentric 2|9 is not constantly rotated, butoperated in a start-stop manner, and that the latch levers 221 arearranged to be' positioned to latch the desired punch levers before therotated eccentric displaces or oscillates the said punch levers. Thus,upon latching of a punch lever 221 and rotation ofthe eccentric 2|9, thesaid punch lever is positioned by the eccentric about the pivotalconnection formed by the arm 221a of the latch lever 221 and the latchedend ofthe punch lever, to force the related punch element 2||ldownwardly (Fig. 2), thereby causing the sheet, such as a telegraphictape 235, interposed between the said guide and die blocks to beperforated. l

Itshould also be mentioned that individual springs 234 having the oneendthereof secured to posts 236 are attached to arms 2211 and 221d ofalternate latch levers 221 for normally urging the related latch leversin a clockwise direction. Due to the close spacing of the latch levers,the springs are alternately arranged as mentioned. For this reason, onlythe alternate latch levers 221 need be provided with arms 22127 (seeFigs. 9 and 9A). The related armatures 23| and magnets 232 are alsoplaced in staggered assess? positions, as shown in Fig. 6, in order toprovide an extremely compact arrangement of the magnets and latchlevers.

Locking means are provided for holding the displaced latch lever orlevers ln a latched position, and for preventing displacement ofundesired latch levers durng the rotation of the eccentric. This meanscomprises a locking bail 238, which is common to all latch levers 221,and which is suitably secured to an arm 239, which arm 239 in turn isxed to shaft 24d. Shaft 243 is rotatably mounted in the said plates 2|5and 22| and also has affixed thereto a spring urged cam follower arm 24|(also see Figs. 3 and 4) cooperating with cam 242 secured to thestartstop shaft 220. Cam 242 is shaped so that normally (with the shaft220 in a stop position) the locking bail 238 is held in a position so asto be out of the path of the extremity of arm 221a of each latch lever221. Upon displacement of the desired latch levers in the said latchingposition 'and upon rotation Vof shaft 220, the follower arm 24| dropsfrom the high portion of the cam 242 to permit the locking bail 238 tobe raised (in Fig. 2) in the path of the said arms 221a, therebyengaging the extremities of arms 221a of the displaced latch levers andlocking them in the latching position (also see timing chart in Fig.10). This position of the said locking bail also prevents any faultydisplacement of the normally positioned latch levers, since the bail isnow effective to engage the extremity of arm 221a of any latch leverwhich inadvertently might be displaced during the rotation of shaft 220,thereby blocking further clockwise rotation of these latch levers andpreventing engagement of the latching shoulders 230 and the latchingends of the related punch levers 2|1. The said raised position oflocking bail 238 is maintained until the sheet or tape 235 isperforated, when the high portion of cam 242 again engages the followerarm 23| to lower the said bail. Obviously, the said bail must be loweredbefore the latch levers 221 are positively restored by the action of areset bail 243.

For this arrangement, it is preferred to render the reset bail 243effective from approximately the 207 point to' the 225 point in the saidcycle (see Fig. 10). The said bail 243 is secured to arm 244, which armin turn is fixed to shaft 245 journaled in the said plates 2|5 and 22|,which shaft has affixed thereto a spring urged cam follower arm 246(Fig. 3) cooperating with a related cam 241 secured to shaft 220. Saidcam 241 is effective, during each cycle of rotation of shaft 220 (seeFig. 10), to partially rotate the follower arm 246 and shaft 245 in acounterclockwise direction (Fig. 3) to cause thebail 243 to positivelyurge and restore the latch levers 221 to the normal latched position outof the path of the latching ends of the related punch levers 2|1, asshown in Fig. 2. Upon release of the latched punch levers 2|1, the punchelements are withdrawn immediately from the perforated tape underinfluence of the related springs 2|3 For this condition, the punchlevers are positioned about the eccentric 2|9 as a pivot. It is evidentfrom the description to follow, if it is desired to withdraw the punchelements positively from the tape under influence of the eccentric, itis merely necessary to prolong the period during which the punch leversare held in latched positions by levers 221 and delay the period in thecycle during which the balls land 260 are .operated rfor resetting andlatching the said levers .221.l

Reset means are also provided for positlvelyrestoring the attractedarmatures 23| of magnets 232 to the normal positions, shown in Fig. 2.at the time bail 243 is operated for resetting the latch levers 221.This means comprises `a bail 250 which is arranged common to the freeends of armatures 23| (also see Fig. 6) and is secured to orformed as anintegral part of Aan arm 25| secured to shaft 252, the latter beingsuitably iournaled in plates 2|5 and 22|. Shaft252 has aliixed thereto aspring urgedcamfollower'arm 253 (Fig. 3) cooperating with a related cam254 secured to shaft 226. This cam is effective, at the same time duringwhich cam 241 positions bail 243 (see Fig. 10), to urge the saidbail25|1 in a counterclockwise direction to move positively any of thedisplaced armatures 23| to the normal position, in order to engage andlatch the released arms 221d of the latch levers 221.

Suitable means for intermittently advancing the tape 235 are provided,which means in the present arrangement are .operated near the end ofeach cy'cle of rotation of `the said shaft 226.

The tape 235 is fed, step by step, `from a suitable supply 255, the reel256 for which is loosely mounted in support 251 secured toplate 22|,under a pivoted tape lever 258, over hinged roller 259 and tape guidemember 260, between the separated blocks 2|| and 2|2, over a sprocketwheel 26|, and under a guide post 262 to the take-up reel 263. Saidsprocket wheel 26| is provided with centrally located and equally spacedteeth 264 for engaging the-'centrally located feed perl:

. said sprocket wheel. Sprocket wheel 26| is fixed to shaft 261journaled in plates 2|5 and 22|. Shaft 261 has secured thereto a ratchetwheel 268 (Fig. 3), which is advanced step by step by a spring urgedcooperating pawl 269 pivotally mounted on a cam follower arm 219.

Cam follower arm 210 is pivotally mounted on plate 2|5 and urged againsta-related cam 21| by spring 212. `Near the end of Aeach cycle of shaft220 (see Fig. 10), the high point of cam 21| moves the cam follower arm210 and pawl 269 to the left, as viewed' in Fig. 3, to advance theratchet wheel 268 one step, and consequently the sprocket wheel 26|.Thus, the tape 235 is advanced to present the next position thereon tothe punching elements. During further rotation of cam 21|,

spring 212 is effective to cause the pawl 269 to ride over a tooth ofthe ratchet Wheel and be in a position for another feeding'operation.

A fixed. plate 213 secured to plate 2|5 is provided with a cammingsurface 214 which is engaged by the free end of lpawl 269, as the latteris urged to the left (Fig. 3), thus insuring a positive drivingconnection between the pawl and ratchet wheel and also preventing anoverdrive of the ratchet wheel. The usual spring urged detent arm 215 isprovided and cooperates with a detent Wheel 216 xed to shaft 261 formaintaining the said shaft 261, ratchet wheel 266 and sprocket Wheel 26|in the advanced position. In order to facilitate tape insertion andremoval operations,

the tape fingerv guide 266 issecured to an arm 211 pivotallymounted onplate 2|5, which arm is pivotally connected to one end of link 211a, theother end of which is connected by a pin and slot connectiori to thepivotally mounted and spring urged tape guide member 260. Thus, wheneverthel guido 266 lsraissd manually, Athe guide member y260 is alsopartially rotated ln a countercloclrwise 2), in order to latch the freeends of the related punch levers 2|1. Next, the locking bail 238 isoperated to engage and lock the displaced latch levers 221 in a latchedposition, during part of the cycle, and to prevent further latchingoperations by the remaining latch lever or levers during this cycle.

Eccentric 2|9 is then effective to oscillate the latched punch levers2|1 causing the connected punch elements 2||l to be operated toperforate the tape'235, in accordance with the selected combination ofoperated punches, while the said tape is at rest at the punching station(see code groups of perforations 211). After the punching operation, thelocking bail 236 is restored to its normal position and the reset balls243 and 250 are rendered operative to restore the latch levers'221 andarmatures 23|, respectively, tovtheir normal positions, therebyreleasing the latching ends of `the related punch levers and permittingthe punch yelements to be withdrawn from the tape.

The tape feeding mechanism is then rendered operative, near the end ofthe cycle, to advance the tape one step, thus presenting the nextpunching position on the tape to thevsaid punch elements.

It should be mentioned at this time that the `centrally locatedperforations 265 are not originally provided in the tape'235 but areformed therein during each punching operation. Refer-l ring now to Fig.'1, it is seen that for this purpose a special latch lever 218 isprovided, which is also pivotally mounted on stud shaft 228 and disposedin related slots in the guide combs 226 and 229. This latch lever isalso provided with a latching shoulder 219, similar tov latchingshoulders 230, which shoulder 219 constantly engages the latching end ofthe related punch .lever 266 under the influence of spring 28|, so thatduring each punching operation the said lever 280 is effective tooperate the connected punch element 282, similarly as describedhereinabove. In this Way, the centrally located feed perforations 265are formed in the paper tape. It is to be noted that latch lever 218 isnot provided with a latch arm similar to arms 221d, and obviously thereis no need for it, since latch lever 218 always is maintained in alatching position. Also, itis to be noted in Fig. 7 that the reset bail243 is provided with a recess 283 so that, during the resetting of latchlevers 221, the said special latch lever 218 is not engaged by the saidbail and accordingly no release of punch lever 280 is eifected duringthe resetting operations. v cycle, the related punch element iswithdrawn from the tape under the influence of the eccentric 2H). Sincethe punch lever is latched constantly,

a pivotal connection is formed by the latched end of punch. lever 286and thestop guide or rod 223 thereby enabling the eccentric topositively restore the punch element to its normal 4retracted lposition.

In order to control the start-stop operations of shaft 226, a welllknown type of electromagnetically controlled, one-revolution clutchmeans is provided. For a detailed description of a similar Afterperforation of the tape, each is pivotally mounted clutch mechanismreference should be made to U. B. Patent 2,206,845, issued to Schneideron July 2, 1940. According to be given is deemed sumcient for completecomprehension o1' the present invention. In Pigs. 1

ery of the 299" and normally is positioned again'stastop 294 formed onthe sultably pivoted lever 295 (secured to stud shaft 2954), which levernormally is urged by spring 299 so that the said stop 2941s in the pathof the dog lift lever 294. With the described elements of the clutchmeans in this Secured to the said pivoted lever 29|;is an amature 299 ofan associatedand suitably disposed magnet liil, which armature uponmomen'- tary energization of magnet 399 positions the stop worm and wormwheel In this manner shaft 22| is rotated. Upon completion of a cycle ofrotation of shaft 220, the dog is urged against the said stop 294 topreventing further rotation lci.' able locking means are provided forthis described clutch, and comprises a suitably disposed, spring thebrief description this shaft. 'suit-v` urged arm 903 (secured to studshaft 295a) cooperating 31th a suitable notchl formed in a cam 405, thelatter being xed to shaft 229. 'I'he int of cam 905 IIJ serves asapositive resetting device for stop 294 and amature 299 (see Fig.vl0) lAny of the known controlling means can be time the punch magnets 232 areenergized, so that the clutch mechanism is operated and effective toconnect the punch shaft 22B to the constantly rotated shaft 299.Contacts 3M, for example, can be controlled lon a stationary member 4|8One example of a suitable keyboard controlled device is shown in U. S.Patent 2,165,237 to C. R. Doty, dated July 1939. In Fis. 12 of thepresent application, a single view oi.' a keyboard device of this typefor operating-the selector magnet contacts JIU is shown. The key 4Hpivoted driven roller 4|9, when releasedby the trip lever 400. TheleverY 4| 2 is connected by a linkage 4|i to a type bar mechanism notshown in the drawing. As the cam 4|`| 'revolves in contact with theroller 4|il, it engages a roller 40| of a related group of contacts 3io.Each cam' 4H has a particular group of the contacts 3io associated withit, the groups being different for the dlil'erent cams. Thus. when aparticular key lever 4|'| is actuated, a certain combination oi' thecontacts 5 I9 is closed.

Fig. 13 shows an alternative mechanism for controlling the selectormagnets, in the form of a tape sensing apparatus of conventional design.Tape 420, similar to tape 235, is guided over rollers 42| and 422, thelatter having peripheral pins 429 to engage feedholes in the tape,corresponding to the holes 265 of tape 2375. Fixed to the feed roller422 is a ratchet wheel 424 with which coacts a dog 425 articulated at426 to a. lever 421. The latter is pivoted at 428 to a stationary partand has an armature 429 coacting with an electromagnet 430. A spring 43|holds the dog 425 against the ratchet wheel 424, and a spring 432 holdsthe lever 421 against a stop 432. When the magnet 430 is energized, thedog isretracted to engage another ,tooth and. when the magnet isdeenergized, the dog feeds the ratchet wheel 424 and the feed roller422, to ad- Vance the next combination of holes on the tape to sensingposition. There is a set of five sensing levers 435 pivoted at 436, onlyone being shown in Fig. 13.. 'I'hese levers are spaced ltransand biasedby a stronger spring 44|. An electromagnet 442, when energized, rocksthe lever 439 and releases the sensing levers 435. Those levers which11nd a hole in the tape close related contacts 3M by their rear arms443.

With kreference again to Fig. 2, a pivoted bail SI2 isprovided which iscommon to the arms 221c of latch levers 221 and supported by arms 3|3(Fig. 1) mounted on shaft 3| 4. One of the said wise directionto closethe suitably disposed contacts 3| I. Thus, it isfseen that the clutchcontrol suitably disposed cam controlled contacts can' be provided, suchas contacts Ci and C2, which are operated cyclically by related camelements 09 secured to the start-stop vshaft; 220. The normon timingcontrol contacts (see Fig. 1l). Rei.'-

erence can be made to the copending application of Mills and Rabenda,Serial No. 450,248, filed July 9, 1942, showing one contemplatedVembodiment or the instant .perforating apparatus and the circuitcontrolled by the said cam controlled contacts. a

Additional controlling contacts can be provided, if desired, forexample, the suitably disposed tape controlled contacts 3|`| secured toupright; plate 2|5. These contacts are controlled both upon theexhaustionof the tape supply to the punch station, and bythe tautnessof\the tape supp1y A contact operating arm 3|8 is secured to shaft 3|9Journaled in plates 2|5 and 22|, which arm is constantly urged in acounterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) by the elongated spring blade ofcontacts 3| Also secured to shaft 3| 9 is a dog member 320 havingoppositely directed pins 32| fastened thereto. The spring urgedtapelever 258 is pivotally mounted on shaft 3|5 and rides on the tape 235,thus preventing engagement of the lever and one of the pins 32|.However, upon exhaustion of the tape, the lever 258 is rotated sufyficiently in a clockwise direction to engage and partially rotate thedog member and operating arm 3|8 to open the contacts 3| 1. A tapetension arm 322 having a roller 323 is also rotatably mounted on shaft3|9, which arm 3|8 is urged in a counterclockwise direction by spring324. In the event the tape supply to the punch station becomes too taut,the tape 235 is eie'ctive to cause the arm 322 to be partially rotatedin a clockwise direction toengage the other pin 32| on the dog member320, to rotate the latter and operating arm 3|-8 to open the saidcontacts 3||. These contacts can be connected in the circuit to theclutch control magnet 300, as indicated in Fig. 11, so-that this magnetcannot be energized whenever the tape becomes too taut or the supplythereof exhausted.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a singlemodification, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intentiontherefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, aplurality of punch levers, one for each punch'element, each lever havingone end pivotally connected to a related punch element, rotatableeccentric means constantly engaging the punch levers for actuating thelatter, a plurality of positionable latch members, one for each punchlever, individual means for normally latching the said members inpositions in close proximity to, but out of the paths of, the other endsof the related punch levers, and means for selectively operating thesaid latching means and releasing the Irelated members so that thelatter engage and latch the said other ends of the related punch levers,thereby causing the latched actuated levers to operate the connectedpunch elements.

2. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, aplurality of punch levers, one for each punch element. each leverhavingone end pivotally connected to a related having a latching arm,individual positionable means normally cooperating with the latchingarms oi' said members for holding the latter in close proximity to, butout of thepaths of, the other ends of the related punch levers, andmeans for selectively positioning the said holding means and releasingthe related members so that the latter engage and latch the said otherends of the related punch levers, therebyA causing the latched actuatedlevers to operate the connected punch elements. Y

3. The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein means are provided forpositively restoring the positioned holding means to their normalpositions for further cooperation with the said latching arms.

4. The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein cyclically operable meansare .provided for positively restoring the positioned holding means totheir normal positions for furthercooperation with the said latchingarms. l

5. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, aplurality of punch levers, one for each punch element, each lever havingone end pivotally connectedl to a related punch element. rotatableeccentric means constantly engaging the punch levers for actuating thelatter, a plurality of positionable latch members, one for each punchlever, each member having a latching arm, individual positionable meansnormally cooperating with the latching arms of saidv members for holdingthe latter in close proximity to but out of the paths of, the otherendsof the K related punch levers, and individual electromagity of punchelements, a plurality ofv punch levers, l

one for each punch element, each lever having one end pivotallyconnected to a. related punch element, rotatable eccentric meansconstantly engaging the punch levers for actuating the latter,

a plurality of positionable latch members, one for eachfpunch lever,each member having a latching arm, individual positionable meansnormally cooperating with the latching arms of said members for holdingthe latter in close proximity to, but out of the paths of, the otherends of the related punch levers, individual electromagnetic means forselectively positioning the said holding means and releasing the relatedmembers so that the latter engage and latch the said other ends of therelated punch levers, thereby causing the latched actuated levers tooperate the connected punch elements, and means for positively restoringthe positioned holding means to their normal positions for furthercooperation with the said latching means.

7. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, aplurality of punch levers, one for each punch element, each lever havingone end pivotally connected to a related punch element, rotatableeccentric means constantly engaging the punch levers for actuating thelatter, a plurality of positionable latch members, one for each punchlever, each member having a. latching arm, individual posltionable meansnormally cooperating with the latching arms of said members for holdingthe latter in close proximity to, but out of the paths of, the otherends of the related punch levers, individual electromagnetic means forselectively positioning the said holding meansand releasing the relatedmembers so that the latterengage 'and latch the said other endsl of therelatedjpunch" levers, thereby causing the latched actuated` leverstoioperate the connected punchelements,fand cyclically opera- -blemeans' for positively-restoring the` positioned holding means to theirnormal positions forl further cooperation with the said latching arms.

8. Peri'orating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elementsaaplurality of punch levers, one for each Apunch element, each leverhaving one'end pivotally connected to a related punch element, rotatablemeansconstantly engaging the punch levers for-actuating the latter,start-stop control means -for rendering-the said rotatable meansoperative'ior a cycle of rotation. a plurality oi positionabie latchmembers, one for each punch lever, individual means for normallylatching the said members siny positions in close proximity to, but outvof the paths of, the other ends of the related punch levers, means forselectively operating thefsaid latching means and releasing the relatedmembers so that the latter engage and latch the said otherends oi therelated punch levers, and common control means actuated by any one ofthe said released members for influencing the said start-stop controlmeans and rendering the latter operative for a cycle of operation,thereby causing the latched actuated levers to operate the connectedpunch elements.

9. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, aplurality ci punch levers, one for each punch element, individual`latching means, one for each lever, means for selectively displacingthe latching means` for effecting engagement ofthe latching means andthe related vpunch levers for latching the latter, rotatable meansconstantly engaging the punch leversffor actuating the latter,start-stop control means -for rendering the said rotatable meansoperative for a cycle ofrotation, and common control means actuated byany one of the displaced latching means for iniiuencing the saidstartstop control means and-rendering the latter operative for a cycleof operation, thereby causing the latched actuated levers to operatelthe connected punch elements.

10. The invention-.set forth in claim"9 wherein the said start-stopmeans includes electromagnetic control means, and the said commoncontrol lmeans includes switching means for controlling theenergizationv of the said electromagnetic control means.

1l. Perforating means comprising a punch lever, a punch element rockablyengaging one part of .said punchlever and guided -for reciprocation,

actuating means engaging a second part of said punch lever. a springactuatedr latchnormally .biased toward eilective position to engage athird partof said punch-leverto provide a fulcrum therefor, a detentadapted to hold said latch out of said effective position, and means to`release '80 said detent from said latch.

ALBERT W." MILLS.

EDWARD J. RABENDA.

